Chapter 284: Grand Ball II

Regis, Pandora, and Killian then met up with Aurelia as they tried all sorts of desserts, beverages, and delicacies available.

"This is so delicious..." Pandora commented in her usual mechanical tone as she tried something called parfait.

Beside her, Aurelia smiled widely as she offered her another kind of food, "Here, try this as well!"

The two went through the different sections of the long table where food was being served, with Aurelia being excited to let Pandora taste everything in the venue.

Of course, even though their quality of life had drastically improved in these years as compared to when they were with their families, Pandora and Regis were still new to these kinds of luxurious banquets.

’These kinds of events are really overwhelming...’

Regis felt a little pressured inwardly, ’But the food is good, so...’

He decided to direct everything he was feeling into eating the various delicacies in the venue hall.

While approaching the section where some strangely cute-looking delicacies were placed, he caught sight of Killian in the corner of his eyes.

However, Regis merely glanced at him before he sighed, "He’s really amazing..."

In the distance, Killian could be seen surrounded by beautiful young women who seemed to be within his age, talking and laughing casually with them, with some hints of touchiness.

And these young women were each powerful in their own ways.

The majority were composed of noble women with high standing in Harmonia and other cities and nations, not limited to the human territory.

There were also some who were the descendants of large merchant organizations, members of adventurer corporations, and the like.

After all, those who had received the invitation for this celebration could be anything but ordinary.

As Killian was approaching fifteen years of age, he was also steadily entering the prime years of youth.

This made it different from his earlier "years of experience" in flirting, as the women who flirted with him merely found him cute and interesting.

While everyone was doing their own thing, the soft clink of a metal spoon against a wine glass drew everyone’s attention, as the music from the instruments also quieted down.

Their gazes turned to the figure standing on the second-floor balcony overlooking the grand hall.

"May I have everyone’s attention, please. The leader of the Midas Merchant Organization, Lord Aurum Midas, will now address the gathering."

The butler of the Midas Family delivered the announcement in a clear, steady voice.

After giving a nod of gratitude towards the butler, Aurum scanned the people in the grand hall with a calm gaze.

This action of his was steady and calm, as if he were a king overlooking everyone while sitting on his throne.

’I didn’t expect to see this side of him...’

Like the others, Regis was also intrigued by his current display of authority.

After a few moments of silence, Aurum began speaking.

"Thank you all for attending this grand ball. As you know, today we celebrate the establishment of the first adventurer corporation officially sponsored by the Midas Merchant Organization.

I now call upon the leader of the newly founded Sanguine Order, Regis!"

His words were not long, yet they carried the authority of the leader of the largest merchant organization in the whole world.

A moment of pause passed before the crowd erupted in a round of applause.

However, in the grand hall, there was a certain someone who had a vacant expression on his face.

’W-What? Did he just call my name!?’

Regis felt confused, but soon saw his party members looking towards him with expectant expressions.

’Those brats... Don’t tell me they intentionally did not inform me about this!?’

He kept a calm face and wore a gentle smile as he passed through the crowd that formed a path for him.

’Just what the hell am I supposed to do there? It’s not like I prepared a speech or something!!’

Despite Regis’s gentlemanly demeanor, which formed quite a contrast with the youthful air around him, he was already very close to going crazy inside his mind.

’I swear, if they really did hide this from me—’

Just as he was about to pour all his anger towards Killiand and the others for pulling this trick, he saw Aurum’s cheeky smile.

"..."

’This old guy... He’s the one behind all this!’

Regis screamed inwardly, but still maintained a calm poise as the leader of a guild.

Seeing him approaching, Aurum subtly winked with a mischievous grin.

The two shook hands, and when Regis went past him, he whispered, "Just impress them."

’Like the way you impressed me.’ Aurum added in his mind as he watched Regis stand at the edge of the second-floor balcony that overlooked the entire grand hall below.

’That old man...!’

Regis was still feeling angry, but he knew that he could not just throw a tantrum at this moment.

And so, he accepted his fate and took a deep breath, ’Let’s just get this done and over with. He said that I just need to impress them, right? Here goes nothing.’

In an instant, various thoughts and possibilities swirled inside his mind as he thought of the most plausible course of action to ’show off’ while maintaining the integrity of the current event.

’Something that’s not too overwhelming, but leaves quite the impression...’

Regis soon opened his lips. "I would like to thank everyone here today, as Lord Aurum has already mentioned. I am Regis, leader of the Sanguine Order.

Even with the other powerful adventurer corporations in the world, I believe we are more than capable of holding our own..."

As he began speaking, the crowd below in the grand hall murmured amongst themselves in a subtle manner that did not come across as disrespectful towards Aurum himself.

It was instead directed towards Regis, who was currently speaking.

Although he had the title of the Angelic Devil, it was only because he was kind, in contrast to his eyes, which were like a demon’s.

Aside from this, his power and other information regarding him have not currently been made public yet.